Closed
$1,000
1 Award Winners
Application Open Date
1/1/2023
Application Deadline
5/15/2023
Eligible Grades
College Junior

Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award

Funded by
PRSA Foundation
Closed
$1,000
1 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
1/1/2023
Scholarship Close Date
5/15/2023
Eligible Grades
College Junior

The Ofield Dukes Scholarship is offered in honor of Ofield Dukes. Ofield embodied excellence in public relations and a commitment to community service. The scholarship recognizes juniors who exemplify his remarkable traits.

Every year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to an exceptional junior studying public relations or journalism. The scholarship supports students of Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Indigenous ancestry. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation administers the scholarship.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA. They should submit a résumé and at least two recommendation letters. A maximum of five recommendation letters can be submitted.

Scholarship Summary

The Ofield Dukes Scholarship is offered in honor of Ofield Dukes. Ofield embodied excellence in public relations and a commitment to community service. The scholarship recognizes juniors who exemplify his remarkable traits.

Every year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to an exceptional junior studying public relations or journalism. The scholarship supports students of Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Indigenous ancestry. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation administers the scholarship.

Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.0 GPA. They should submit a résumé and at least two recommendation letters. A maximum of five recommendation letters can be submitted.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: College Junior
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: 3.0
  • Geographic Eligibility: United States
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Alaskan Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander

Key Information of Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award

Study Details

Area of Study

  • Communications
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Any

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Recommendation letters

Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award Timeline

January 2023

Application Open Date

The application usually opens in January.

May 15, 2023

Application deadline

All applications must be submitted by the deadline.

How to ace the Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award

1

Select your recommenders wisely

Your recommendation letters should give a wholesome account of your skills and abilities. Select recommenders such that each can speak to a particular strength such as academics, leadership, or community service. Select recommenders who know you well and have supervised or guided you closely. Ask them beforehand whether they are available to write the letter for you.

2

Inform your recommenders early

After selecting your recommenders, it is critical that you inform them early. The recommendation letters take up a large portion of your application. Start the application early and send them the invite alerts to give them enough time to write your letter.

3

Update your résumé

Revamp your old résumé and include any recent developments. Include any community engagements, recent internships, awards, and honors you’ve received. Proofread your résumé to ensure that it is error-free.

4

Do mock interviews

Write a list of potential interview questions and have a friend ask them. The mock interviews will help you prepare your answers and get you used to the interview environment. Nothing gets you ready for an interview like practice.
Applicants are judged based on academic merit, commitment to service and social responsibility, and writing skills.

How the Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award is Judged

Applicants are judged based on academic merit, commitment to service and social responsibility, and writing skills.

Why We Love the Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award

1

Students from any university can apply

Eligible students from any university across the country can apply.

2

Non-PRSSA members can apply

Students who aren’t members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) can apply.

3

The scholarship champions for diversity

The Ofield scholarship aims to increase the diversity of professionals in the public relations industry by supporting college students.

5 Facts About Ofield Dukes

01.

He served in the Army

Ofield served in the Army from 1952 to 1954 in Korea.

02.

He founded Ofield Dukes & Associates in 1969

The organization started with Motown Records as its first client.

03.

He consulted for every Democratic Presidential campaign

Since 1972, Dukes has offered communications consultancy for every Democratic Presidential Campaign.

04.

He received multiple awards

PRSA awarded Dukes the Silver Anvil in 1974 and the Gold Anvil in 2001. He also received the National Public Relations Achievement Award and was inducted into the Washington DC Public Relations Society Hall of Fame.

05.

He advocated for diversity and inclusion

Ofield helped establish the Martin Luther King holiday, formed the Black Public Relations Society of Washington DC, and revitalized the national diversity committee of PRSA.